The first printed Advent Calendar came about through Gerhard Lang in 1908. Lang got the idea from his mother who, when he was a small boy, made him an advent calendar with 24 little candies stuck on cardboard. He printed Advent Calendars in Germany until WWII when cardboard was then rationed and forbidden to use.

This is the first Advent Calendar printed after WWII. It was printed in 1946 and the first one printed in the United States. It was promoted by President Dwight D. Eisenhower whose children loved the idea.

The magnetic figures of this advent calendar allow the pieces to be placed anywhere desired. The pieces are stored in pockets in the back. One piece is brought out each day until the nativity scene is complete.

Let the Christmas countdown begin with this bright and cheerful quilted advent calendar. The pockets are in random order so you have to search for the right number. Each pocket can be filled with treats or activities.

These scrumptious wool pennants are festive with their shades of green, red, gold and white. Each pennant is a little pocket that holds a little card paraphrasing the story of Jesus’ birth with scripture references.

Here’s a gorgeous display featuring a spin-off of traditional Christmas colors, by experimenting with more of a pastel color palette. Red variants come into play here with pink taking first place. Another interesting feature is that the numbers are made with polymer clay.

The word Advent is derived from the Latin word “adventur” meaning “arrival.” Here’s a unique advent calendar using pottery in a shadow box-style lazy Susan shelf, which is unique in itself with the Christmas Tree finial on top.

All of these Advent Calendars are certainly inspiring. Remember, you can start your Countdown to Christmas with any amount of days. Perhaps 12 days of Christmas is your thing? So, whether you make one or buy, one have fun with it this season.

www.colourlovers.comI love rocks! Especially heart shaped ones that I find in the many adventures I take with my family, exploring the beach, camping at the river, or hiking in the mountains. Gardening is my forte, and almost anything that gets me out of the house and into nature. When I have to be indoors, you will find me knitting or crocheting something for my grandkids while watching a good movie, or doing genealogy and drinking a cup of yerba mate. What brings me the most joy and satisfaction though, is hanging out with my family: my husband, five kids and their spouses, and lovable grandkids.

I like the jars and the tins. Really cute <3
Our advent calender is felt with pockets and each pocket contains a piece of paper with a Bible verse (like the pennants) and a tiny, felt mouse with Velcro on his back that marks each day. This has been an awesome tool for helping Amélie (our 2-year-old) learn her basic numbers. She helps us move the mouse each day and we count the remaining days until Christmas in Korean and English. She loves it!

I like the jars and the tins. Really cute <3
Our advent calender is felt with pockets and each pocket contains a piece of paper with a Bible verse (like the pennants) and a tiny, felt mouse with Velcro on his back that marks each day. This has been an awesome tool for helping Amélie (our 2-year-old) learn her basic numbers. She helps us move the mouse each day and we count the remaining days until Christmas in Korean and English. She loves it!

I like the jars and the tins. Really cute <3
Our advent calender is felt with pockets and each pocket contains a piece of paper with a Bible verse (like the pennants) and a tiny, felt mouse with Velcro on his back that marks each day. This has been an awesome tool for helping Amélie (our 2-year-old) learn her basic numbers. She helps us move the mouse each day and we count the remaining days until Christmas in Korean and English. She loves it!